Sterling going a long way to fulfill his dream

Gerald Sterling, a senior at Aliceville High School signed Wednesday to play football at Washington State University.

Erin Nelson | Tuscaloosa News

By Andrew CarrollSports Writer

Published: Thursday, February 7, 2013 at 9:56 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, February 7, 2013 at 9:56 a.m.

ALICEVILLE | Gerald Sterling plans to head west to begin a new phase in his life.

A senior at Aliceville High School, Sterling signed Wednesday to play football at Washington State University.

"It's a very great day for me and my family," said Sterling, who was a defensive lineman, tight end and fullback. "I'll be in a different location. I've got to man up and do what I've got to do and take on my dream. There was a lot of sweat, bruises, tears sometimes, but all of it paid off. It got me to this day right here."

Sterling (6-foot-3, 260 pounds) expects to play as a defensive lineman.

"I'd say my strengths are my motor and my ability to use my hands and put them on people and crush them and get to the quarterback," said Sterling, who wants to major in sports management.

Sterling had 85 tackles and 17 sacks last season. He caused five fumbles and scored five touchdowns.

JeVontey Smith, an offensive and defensive starter for the Greensboro Raiders, signed to play for the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders. Smith (6-3, 195) made the Class 3A All-State first team as a defensive back after intercepting six passes. He plans to be a wide receiver at Middle Tennessee. He caught 20 passes for 415 yards and three touchdowns and returned punts and kicks.

"It's a big relief," said Smith, who committed to Kentucky but had to adjust after a coaching change. "I'm just glad to finally get it over with. It's another step you have to take to go from being a teenager to an adult.

"They're a spread team. They interchange wide receivers every six or seven plays. They're a passing team, which I really like, and they're ranked in the top 10 academically with athletes graduating. That really caught my attention."

Smith said he wants to major in computer science or computer engineering.

"It's very important because while growing up I always heard that not too many high school players get to go and play college ball," Bell said. "To be one of the few people to be able to go play is very exciting. It's a great opportunity. It's not too far from home, but the main thing was the connection with the coaches. They seem intense, and they seem like they love the football players."

Bell said he hopes to major in electrical engineering.

"It allows me to go and further my education," Bell said. "If football doesn't stick around for me my whole life, I still have a fallback plan. It allows me to be a role model for some of the players at the high school but more importantly my little brother. He has somebody to look up to."

Linden's Tyler Davis (6-3, 325) signed with Alabama A&M, where he expects to be an offensive lineman.

"It feels real good," Davis said. "I'm just taking another step in life. My grandma said I was going to be the only one to make it, so I'm just doing it for the family."

Davis said he felt welcomed during his visit.

"I loved the campus, the coaches, the players," Davis said. "I had a good time up there. That's what made me want to be a Bulldog."

Sumter Central coach Christopher Raymond confirmed that Quinton Chaney (6-4, 320) signed with Miles College. Chaney, who played offense and defense, projects as an offensive lineman.

"He's a smart kid," Raymond said. "He's got good feet. He could probably play all five spots on the offensive line."

Reach Andrew Carroll at andrew.carroll@tuscaloosanews.com or at 205-722-0223.

<p>ALICEVILLE | Gerald Sterling plans to head west to begin a new phase in his life.</p><p>A senior at Aliceville High School, Sterling signed Wednesday to play football at Washington State University.</p><p>"It's a very great day for me and my family," said Sterling, who was a defensive lineman, tight end and fullback. "I'll be in a different location. I've got to man up and do what I've got to do and take on my dream. There was a lot of sweat, bruises, tears sometimes, but all of it paid off. It got me to this day right here."</p><p>Sterling (6-foot-3, 260 pounds) expects to play as a defensive lineman.</p><p>"I'd say my strengths are my motor and my ability to use my hands and put them on people and crush them and get to the quarterback," said Sterling, who wants to major in sports management.</p><p>Sterling had 85 tackles and 17 sacks last season. He caused five fumbles and scored five touchdowns.</p><p>JeVontey Smith, an offensive and defensive starter for the Greensboro Raiders, signed to play for the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders. Smith (6-3, 195) made the Class 3A All-State first team as a defensive back after intercepting six passes. He plans to be a wide receiver at Middle Tennessee. He caught 20 passes for 415 yards and three touchdowns and returned punts and kicks.</p><p>"It's a big relief," said Smith, who committed to Kentucky but had to adjust after a coaching change. "I'm just glad to finally get it over with. It's another step you have to take to go from being a teenager to an adult.</p><p>"They're a spread team. They interchange wide receivers every six or seven plays. They're a passing team, which I really like, and they're ranked in the top 10 academically with athletes graduating. That really caught my attention."</p><p>Smith said he wants to major in computer science or computer engineering.</p><p>Demopolis defensive lineman Kessy Bell (6-0, 265) signed with Miles College.</p><p>"It's very important because while growing up I always heard that not too many high school players get to go and play college ball," Bell said. "To be one of the few people to be able to go play is very exciting. It's a great opportunity. It's not too far from home, but the main thing was the connection with the coaches. They seem intense, and they seem like they love the football players."</p><p>Bell said he hopes to major in electrical engineering.</p><p>"It allows me to go and further my education," Bell said. "If football doesn't stick around for me my whole life, I still have a fallback plan. It allows me to be a role model for some of the players at the high school but more importantly my little brother. He has somebody to look up to."</p><p>Linden's Tyler Davis (6-3, 325) signed with Alabama A&M, where he expects to be an offensive lineman.</p><p>"It feels real good," Davis said. "I'm just taking another step in life. My grandma said I was going to be the only one to make it, so I'm just doing it for the family."</p><p>Davis said he felt welcomed during his visit.</p><p>"I loved the campus, the coaches, the players," Davis said. "I had a good time up there. That's what made me want to be a Bulldog."</p><p>Sumter Central coach Christopher Raymond confirmed that Quinton Chaney (6-4, 320) signed with Miles College. Chaney, who played offense and defense, projects as an offensive lineman.</p><p>"He's a smart kid," Raymond said. "He's got good feet. He could probably play all five spots on the offensive line."</p><p><i>Reach Andrew Carroll at andrew.carroll@tuscaloosanews.com or at 205-722-0223.</i></p>